Old school: U-M in History

A Creation of My Own

The man in the photograph featuring the U-M Detroit Observatory is thought by some to be the university’s first president Henry Philip Tappan, with one of his dogs, Leo or Buff. One student recalled Leo as “a lordly fellow — kind and affectionate, but withal stern and uncompromising in the exaction of his rights.” It was said this was also a fair description of Leo’s owner.

Henry Philip Tappan believed deeply in creating a place where professors spread existing knowledge by teaching and, by deep study and research, also made new knowledge. He envisioned a new observatory for the fledgling Ann Arbor campus that would signal Michigan’s serious intentions. One man, however, was determined to bring down Tappan and his creation. (heritage.umich.edu/story/a-creation-of-my-own/)

Through spring, The Record’s “Old School” feature will highlight the stories and images that are being presented on the new U-M Heritage Project website. That site, heritage.umich.edu, celebrates the university’s history and triumphs, in preparation for the U-M bicentennial in 2017.